My First Day at Google

I was in what serious athletes call "The Zone". Not that I know anything about being a serious athlete--but I've seen television programs about it. I had been preparing months for the morning of February 20th, 2006. I had been physically cleansing my body of toxins so that I could think without distractions from the vessel. I had been mentally focusing myself by conducting frequent meditation, clearing the mind, peacefully counting breaths and finding a calm center within my consciousness. I had been honing my mental awareness to a pinpoint of fierce, unequalled concentration.

At 6:00 A. M. this morning I awoke with the gratifying feeling of a night's uninterrupted, healthy rest. I conducted my morning rituals, paying careful attention them. I wanted to be extra, extra fresh and clean on my first day. Following the self-cleaning, I sat for twenty minutes and cleared my mind with meditation. I wanted to approach the day with a superior mental outlook. I tried to imagine what the Dalai Lama would say and do on his first day at a new job, and hold that at the front of my mind. Everybody likes the Dalai Lama; he's a great guy. I want to be a great guy, so this makes sense.

Prior to leaving the apartment complex, I took a slow walk around the park. I had plenty of time, and thought a short stroll would help put my mind in a peaceful, receptive place. I completed the lap, got into my rental car, and drove the three miles or so to the Googleplex.

I arrived precisely on time. I pulled into the parking lot and realized... it's... a holiday.

The parking lot was mostly deserted. As was the lobby of "Building 41"[1], where I was supposed to report to the front desk. Not only was it deserted, the doors were locked. So, I stood in the courtyard of the Googleplex on my first day, admiring the cactus in the courtyard, and realizing that my first day was in fact a surprise holiday.

I had actually anticipated this; I was aware that today was some sort of holiday, and it crossed my mind that my new employer--in a vast departure from what I am used to--might actually grant national holidays to their employees. So I called my recruiter and informed her of what had happened, to make sure nobody was actually waiting for me somewhere, on their otherwise day off. She apologized profusely for the mix-up (she's such a sweetheart, I felt guilty for calling her at all... I knew she'd feel bad.)

After confirming that Tuesday would be my actual first day, I decided to use the circumstances to my advantage, get some exercise, and do some familiarization with the campus. You may view the area from above with Google Maps or this Google Earth marker, if you'd like.

This is a nice open area convenient to the famous Google cafeterias[2]:

There's a nice little park adjacent to the buildings where people can bring their dogs and relax whilst looking at the Total Awesomeness that is the Google headquarters:

The 'plex is on Ampitheatre Parkway. The Ampitheatre in question is right across the street. What they do here, I have no idea. I'm guessing concerts or religious revivals or silicon valley style swap-meets or something:

Also across the street is "Vista Slope", which is just a hill that overlooks the area. It's full of Prairie Dogs (for y'all city folk, those are squirrels that burrow in the ground.) I tried to get a picture of one, but they're shy:

(There is one Prairie Dog's peeking head visible in this picture.)

Other pics are available here. Sorry about the horrible picture quality. Blame Danger.

So my first day was quite relaxing, as far as first days go. Hell, as far as any day goes. Although my second day should be much more exciting!

Oh, also, I walked by a dead body today and yesterday. Tune in next time for details on that one.

[1] My Geek Intution tells me that the first Googleplex building was designated "Building 42", as homage to Douglas Adams, with the other buildings numbered around that one. But that's just a guess.

[2] Using a word like "cafeteria" to describe these places is not just; it's nothing like your high-school eatery that the word "cafeteria" brings to mind. It's more like a really great (and free) restaurant, with plastic trays and bright, silly colors.